Although it is just early July, new Viking head coach Ryan Riggan and the Union Pines football coaches and players are hard at work preparing for the upcoming 2009 season.

Thursday marked the third week of preseason training for Riggan and the Vikes. The team meets four days a week for three hours each day for extensive strength, conditioning and skill sessions at the school.

Riggan says that so far things have been going great at the Viking camp.

"We have had between 40 to 50 kids out each day so far this summer," Riggan said, "and that is a strong turnout considering some kids are on vacations and things. There have been 35 guys that have not missed a single practice yet.

"Also the coaching staff has been awesome. Everybody has been around, is excited and are all working extremely hard to kind of get the snowball rolling."

Almost all of the pieces are now firmly in place on Riggan's staff which includes a mixture of coaches brought over from Pinecrest, some who have been at Union Pines for several years and even one fellow who will be coaching football for the first time this fall. On top of his head coaching duties, Riggan will handle the special teams along with Ronny DeLusme.

Last year DeLusme and Riggan were assistant coaches at Pinecrest High School. DeLusme will be the defensive coordinator in the fall and has been in charge of the Vikes' conditioning program this summer.

Union Pines lost Carl Anker, who will not be returning as the quarterback coach this year, but gained his son Drew Anker. While he has never coached before, the younger Anker was a starting quarterback at Pinecrest where he graduated in 2002 before going on to play the position in college at Western Carolina.

Tyler Callahan, Jered Salazar, Chad Hill and Chris Thomas are all members of Riggan's staff who have varying levels of experience within the Union Pines football program.

Last season Callahan was the Viking defensive coordinator under head coach Jason Furrie and has been the head jayvee football coach over the past four years. This fall he will be Union Pines' defensive line coach.

Salazar is now starting his second season with Union Pines football. Last year he coached the Viking track and field team with Nat Carter, where he ran the boys' team. In 2008 he was the Vike secondary/defensive back coach and worked with the skilled position players.

After taking a year off, Chad Hill returns to the Union Pines sideline as the wide receiver coach. Going on his fourth year as the Viking head baseball coach, Hill was the quarterback coach in 2007 under Elwood Baker and also the offensive coordinator for the jayvee team.

Meanwhile, Thomas, a longtime Vike veteran coach is be back for yet another year and will be the team's defensive assistant. As of now Riggan has not decided who will handle the offensive coordinator duties.

One thing that seems to have been decided is the entire program's commitment to doing the tough work necessary for Union Pines to improve. Last year the Vikes finished 3-8 overall and 1-6 in the Cape Fear Valley Conference.

Seniors Graham Haulsee and Andrew MacPherson are excited about the progress that has been made.

"Things have been going really well," said Haulsee. "There has been a lot of enthusiasm out here in the mornings and it is much needed." As a fullback and linebacker, Haulsee was Union Pines' sole all-conference selection last year. He was also the team MVP.

"Everybody is busting it hard (out here) and giving it their all. Hopefully it will pay off in the fall. We are really focusing on our strength and fitness training and I think it will really be a difference-maker for us in the fourth quarter. This is something we have never done beforeI have been focusing on speed and explosiveness in the weight room so that I can bust through people and make longer runs."

MacPherson, the team defensive MVP a year ago, says he has also noticed a different atmosphere around his coaches and teammates.

"This year our intensity is so much higher," said MacPherson. "Coach Delusme is a really good motivator, which is just what you need in a coach -- someone who will motivate you and drive you to take it to that extra gear. Coach Riggan has also been great. Everyone likes him, he commands respect and when he says something you know you are going to always listen."

Last season MacPherson saw time at nearly every position on defense. He also played quite a bit of offense, taking snaps at tight end, wide-out, and as a lineman, while handling all of Union Pines' kicking duties as well.

"Our chemistry has improved. Everyone is getting along and there is no bickering or stuff of that sort. Our key word is discipline and that is really what is being instilled in us," MacPherson said.

MacPherson said he is stronger and faster, thanks to the summer workouts.

Riggan credited his seniors and their positive attitude as a reason for the team's success so far.

"Our senior class has done a great job so far," he said. "Most of those guys are the ones that have been here every day. They work very hard, are great leaders and have done an outstanding job of setting an example for the younger guys to follow.

"We have had a bunch of freshman out this summer and the senior leadership has been really important in getting those young guys used to Union Pines football. We stress to our underclassmen that they have to work hard for the seniors because this year is their last chance, but also to work hard for themselves because each player's time is limitedin four years it is over. So we expect them all to want to do as much as they can to become as good as they can be as football players by the time their senior years come."

Riggan has been especially proud of seniors Haulsee, MacPherson, Josh Howard, Jon Toomer, Justin Marshall, Marquis McKinney, Kaleb Rierson and Sebastian Harmon, who have impressed him with their all-out commitment and work ethic.

"All of these guys have been here day in and day out, and are leading the way for our group. They all are reliable, dedicated and have positive attitudes, while also being receptive to constructive criticism, which as a coach is all you can ask and hope for out of your players."

Contact F.W. Manning II at 639-5481or by email at frankwm2@gmail.com